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Certified Agile and Scrum Product Owner Training

Certified Agile and Scrum Product Owner Training Brief description of the project: Agile project management is becoming imperative in modern business. Therefore, the project was created with the aim of realizing education on the topics of Scrum Master and Product Owner, for employees from member companies and the Cortex executive office. 20 participants attended the training. After completing the training, the participants took a test and received certificates. Key activities: Selection of participants, Choosing a training provider, Realization of training, Testing of participants and awarding of certificates. Project partners: The company Agile Humans from Belgrade Duration: November 2021 Budget: 4,898.40 euros Funding by: Ministry of Economic Development of Montenegro through the Enterprise Europe Network (logo) Projects Let’s do practice December 28, 2023/No Comments Let’s do practice Project Brief: The project presents Cortex practice for high school students. 28 third-grade students of the Vaso… Read More Support for Promotional Activities of the ICT Cortex Cluster December 28, 2023/No Comments Support for Promotional Activities of the ICT Cortex Cluster Project Brief: The HELP Office in Montenegro is the first donor… Read More RCF: Grants awarded for the development of professional education February 2, 2022/ The official ceremony for the awarding of grants from the Regional Fund for Challenges was held on February 2, 2021,… Read More

Meeting of agriculture and IT

Meeting of agriculture and IT Brief description of the project: The project aimed to map activities for the development and implementation of IT solutions in the agriculture of Montenegro, as well as the specific needs of companies in terms of management of information solutions, precision agriculture,automation and robotics. Key activities: desk analysis, In-depth interviews with 10 companies – the largest representatives of Montenegrin agriculture. Making the Analysis. Project partners: – Duration: October 2021 – March 2022 Budget: 5,000 euros Funding by: Reconomy logo

Let’s do practice

Let’s do practice Cortex Internship for High School Students was designed as a unique program that provided third-year students from the “Vaso Aligrudić” Electro-Technical School with practical experience in the IT sector. A total of 28 students participated in the program, divided into seven teams, and their task was to create an information system for the school library. The practical part of the program was carried out in seven ICT Cortex member companies – Alicorn, Amplitudo, Bild Studio, Coinis, Data Design, Logate, and Oykos Development. The students worked under the mentorship of 15 experienced professionals, following an agile methodology through seven iterations over a span of seven weeks. During this process, the students developed the application, uploaded the code to GitHub, implemented solutions on Confluence, and took a control exam. At the final presentation, an objective jury assessed all the presented web applications as functional and applicable. The project was supported by Reconomy, Telekom, Logate Academy, Coca-Cola, and Duka Hosting, providing the necessary infrastructure and resources for the successful execution of the program. This project represents an important step in bridging education and business, offering students the opportunity to get acquainted with the real working environment and apply the knowledge they gained in practice. The project ran from April to December 2021, with a budget of €35,000.

Support for Promotional Activities of the ICT Cortex Cluster

Support for Promotional Activities of the ICT Cortex Cluster Project Brief: The HELP Office in Montenegro is the first donor of ICT Cortex, providing support during the cluster’s establishment, positioning, and long-term operations in Montenegro and the Western Balkans. It initiated a public campaign consisting of various activities on social media, PR articles on relevant portals, TV appearances, university promotions, and other awareness-raising events. The project also involved the creation of the cluster’s website and academy. Key Activities: Organizing a promotional campaign for the cluster Developing the cluster’s website and academy website Establishing a graphic standards manual Crafting a marketing plan for cluster promotion Organizing promotional events Project Partners: Member companies, including Bild Studio, Fleka, and Logate. Duration: March 2021 – February 2022 Budget: 20.000 eur Funding Source: Reconomy logo

ZZI

ZZI is well-established software development and cloud application Provider Company. As far as the business area is concerned is specialized in supply chain electronic data interchange, eInvoicing, Customs administration digitalization and Foreign Trade solutions. The highly efficient, well-educated, experienced team and ZZI developed advanced Mission Critical systems are well recognized in the CEE region. ZZI employ 60 experts in Ljubljana and 4 in Podgorica. ZZI Podgorica was established in 2004 and is covering the coordination, development and sales activities locally of ZZI products and SW development for Montenegro Customs administration and other business customers. Around 100 companies use ZZI services and solutions in Montenegro. ZZI is an active member of many associations and invest a lot in cooperation and partnerships. We are a member of Slovenian ICT association, Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, Slovenian National Forum for eInvoices, EU Institute of Standardization, Euro chambers and we participate in the European Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Electronic Invoicing (EMSFEI). ZZI is also compliant for EU eIdas based services like eArchiving and eDelivery. Products and services Design and Branding Digital Marketing Web Development Mobile development Project management UX UI design Enterprise Software Development Cloud engineering, DevOps & Infrastructure Big data, business inteligence & data visualization Projekti Customs information systems in Slovenia and Montenegro Statistical office information system and digital stat reporting in Slovenia. Digital public procurement system – joint procurement and product catalogue in Slovenia Contact http://zzi.me info@zzi.co.me ul.Moskovska 77, 81000 Podgorica 020 229 560

Five Reasons Why You Should Attend AI Tech Summit

The world is at a turning point where artificial intelligence (AI) and technology lay the foundation for the next industrial revolution. From healthcare and finance to manufacturing and retail, AI and technological innovations are transforming existing industrial landscapes and driving waves of innovation that were previously unimaginable. In light of these dynamic changes, the AI Tech Summit has become an indispensable event for every professional seeking to explore the latest solutions in the field of artificial intelligence, regardless of their industry. This event not only provides an opportunity to learn about the latest technological advancements but also offers a platform to hear from inspirational leaders in the industry who will share their experiences and visions with you. Below, we present five key reasons why you shouldn’t miss the AI Tech Summit taking place this September in Skopje. 1. Focus on Ethical Issues and Governance As the concept of artificial intelligence has become a part of our daily lives, there is growing concern about ethical issues and governance in the public sphere. Many believe that this phenomenon will entirely reshape the world as we know it, becoming an indispensable part of our functioning. Consequently, some of the unavoidable questions that each of us asks relate to ethical standards in AI governance: “Will this compromise my privacy? How secure are my data? Can artificial intelligence pose a threat to our existence?” At the AI Tech Summit, you will gain deeper insights into the importance of ethical principles and proper governance in the field of artificial intelligence. It will explore how AI technology can be used while adhering to ethical norms, how we can ensure that its benefits are harnessed for the betterment of society and individuals, and what the greatest ethical challenges in AI technology are. If you want answers to these questions and many others, the AI Tech Summit is the right place for you. 2. Revolution in the Financial Industry The financial industry is one of the sectors that has undergone significant transformations thanks to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. At the AI Tech Summit, you will have a unique opportunity to explore how this sector is being transformed through innovations and technological advancements brought about by artificial intelligence. One of the most striking ways AI influences the financial industry is by improving decision-making processes. AI-based systems analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns that would be hard to discern with the human eye. At the AI Tech Summit, you will learn how these systems contribute to faster and more precise decision-making, enhancing the overall operations of financial organizations. Leaders from the AI industry will share their insights and experiences at the summit, providing concrete examples of how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of this sector. Through real-world examples, attendees will gain insights into the revolutionary ways in which artificial intelligence is integrated into the daily operations of financial institutions and systems. 3. Business Optimization Through Data One of the key advantages of artificial intelligence is its capacity to learn from data. At the summit, you will discover how AI technology employs deep learning processes for continuous improvement. In today’s digital age, organizations generate vast amounts of data every day. At the AI Tech Summit, you will learn how this data can be leveraged as a valuable resource for developing innovative strategies and business models. Artificial intelligence enables you to deeply analyze this data, uncover hidden patterns and regularities, and make better-informed decisions based on that analysis. 4. Generative Artificial Intelligence: Innovating Engineering and Manufacturing Design In the fields of engineering and manufacturing, we are constantly searching for new ways to enhance efficiency, optimize processes, and develop innovative products. At the AI Tech Summit, doors are opened to the world of generative artificial intelligence, an aspect of AI technology that brings revolutionary changes to these areas. Through practical examples, you will discover how organizations use generative artificial intelligence to create groundbreaking products and solutions. From machine parts to architectural concepts, generative AI opens new horizons for innovation, enabling faster and more efficient development of new ideas. 5. Co-evolution of Artificial Intelligence and Humans: Partnering for Human Advancement In a world of ubiquitous technology and rapid technological progress, the relationship between artificial intelligence and the human race has become increasingly relevant. At the AI Tech Summit, you will have the opportunity to learn how artificial intelligence can co-evolve with humans to achieve greater progress and improvements in various aspects of society. As technology, including artificial intelligence, becomes increasingly sophisticated, questions arise about how best to harness its power in line with human values and needs. At the AI Tech Summit, you will discover how human creativity and imagination can be combined with the technical capabilities of artificial intelligence. Through this co-evolution, a new paradigm is created where technology supports human efforts in innovation and solving complex problems. Note: Less than 50 tickets remain on sale The AI Tech Summit will take place in North Macedonia, in Skopje, from September 29 to 30, 2023, organized by TBM Group, a leading European company specializing in organizing world-renowned conferences. We are pleased to be a partner of this event as ICT Cortex, providing our members with special discounts for membership and sponsorship packages. By attending the AI Tech Summit, you will have the opportunity to connect with leading experts in the field of artificial intelligence, including professionals from companies such as Microsoft, Google, Tesla, Boston Consulting, and many others. You will learn about the latest trends and applications of technology and contribute to shaping the future with an ethical and responsible approach to AI technology. If you are interested in this event, you can find more information and tickets on the website www.techsummit.ai. Author: Stefan Blecic

Meet Our Member: DigitalBee

As a cluster currently comprising 45 member companies, we continuously work on introducing our community to our members and the latest developments. From now on, you can expect the introduction of one of our members every week, accompanied by the projects they are currently working on. To kick things off, we’d like to introduce you to DigitalBee. DigitalBee was founded in 2019 with a clear mission – to develop competencies crucial for success in the digital age. What’s it all about? Digital skills, emotional intelligence, and creativity – these are the core components that DigitalBee nurtures through its unique proprietary program called “Beyond Coding.” However, this is not just another program; it’s a journey that inspires and shapes children and teenagers, providing them with tools and confidence to face the new challenges of the digital era. Shortly after its inception, DigitalBee was recognized as the premier place for developing the competencies needed for children’s success in the digital age. In 2021, this company became a licensed educational institution, injecting a breath of fresh air into Montenegro’s education system with its creative approach. Offering two adult education programs, “Database Basics” and “Digital Marketing“, DigitalBee is not merely following the trends of digital transformation but is becoming a key driver of those trends. In the following text, we will delve deeper into the journey that DigitalBee has undertaken and discover how they have contributed to the development of education in Montenegro. Transforming Children and Adults into Digital Creators Our interviewees and founders of DigitalBee, Valentina Radulović and Jasna Pejović, proudly state that what sets their company apart is a comprehensive approach to children’s education, which, in their words, is unique in the region: “Our ‘Beyond Coding’ programs are designed so that learning programming takes center stage, while carefully designed additional content exercises emotional intelligence and creative thinking competencies. These courses transform participants into creators in the digital world.” These educational programs are intended for children aged five to sixteen. According to our interviewees, the youngest participants enter the world of programming by developing algorithmic thinking without screens, using age-appropriate robots. On the other hand, older participants learn programming using languages like Scratch, Python, JavaScript, and App Inventor. What makes this program unique is that very serious skills are learned exclusively through play, making classes both interesting and useful experiences for children. Furthermore, DigitalBee offers courses for adults with the aim of improving their skills and acquiring new ones to help them find their career path in the new digital age: “Database Basics’ and ‘Digital Marketing’ programs are designed for adults who want to master competencies that will help them in their jobs, find additional or new engagements, or start and manage their businesses.” Out of over a thousand participants, successful students and innovators have emerged Regarding DigitalBee’s achievements, Jasna and Valentina attribute their greatest successes to the achievements of their participants: “So far, over 1000 children have gone through our ‘Beyond Coding’ programs. Most of them are now successful students and high school students, with a significant number of our participants winning awards in programming and robotics competitions. Many of our participants have told us that the competencies and skills they have acquired in our programs have helped them resolve conflicts with peers or better present their ideas. In our classrooms, friendships are formed that last beyond classes, which in itself represents a special kind of success. All of these are achievements that bring us joy and motivation to approach each new generation with the same dedication and introduce new programs and content. Knowledge empowers us and gives us freedom, and we are here to help our participants acquire important and current competencies.” Furthermore, they added that they are proud of the fact that participants in the adult programs use the acquired skills in their work environments, develop their businesses, or create additional sources of income using the knowledge they have gained. Become a Change Maker: Applications Are Open If you plan to join DigitalBee’s education programs and become part of a community that actively shapes the future in the digital world, now is the right time to apply for one of the open programs. For those interested in adult programs, note that they are held several times a year, allowing you to join when it suits you best. On the other hand, programs designed for children, known as “Beyond Coding,” start at the beginning of the school year – in September and February. This is an opportunity for the youngest to start their journey into the digital world in the right way and master digital technologies instead of the other way around. For all information about educational programs, we recommend visiting their website, where your first step towards the future in the digital world awaits you. Become a part of one of DigitalBee’s education programs and be ready to become a change-maker! Apply now. Author: Stefan Blecic

Join DMZCON 2023, the International Cyber Security Conference taking place in Podgorica this year

DMZCON 2023 is an international conference focused on cyber security and will be held in Montenegro for the first time from September 28th to October 3rd. With over 50 speakers from the field of information security, the conference program offers three parallel tracks with comprehensive reports, roundtable discussions, and technical workshops. The conference is strongly oriented towards business networking and knowledge sharing among renowned experts in the Cyber Security field. DMZCON is known for its distinguished speakers and experts coming from reputable companies and countries worldwide, such as the USA, Finland, India, Poland, Israel, as well as local speakers from Montenegro. The conference website provides a list of confirmed speakers, while the announcement of additional speakers can be expected in the coming weeks. The agenda and details are available on the official conference website. The conference is organized by Montenegrin IT cluster ICT Cortex, DMZ Labs, and RST Cloud with Netokracija as the media sponsor in Croatia. The organizing team invites all interested parties to join this international conference and actively participate in the rich program that awaits all attendees. Moreover with respect to local companies DMZCON organisers decided to extend early bird period until September 1 (for balkan-native companies) offering 1 ticket + 1 gratis.

Members of ICT Cortex and the Čini Dobro Foundation donated tablets for the most distinguished students

Milatović emphasized that from the position of the President, he will appeal to relevant institutions and all social actors to create incentives for diligent, exemplary, and dedicated individuals and recognize their potential, thereby building a society on solid foundations President Jakov Milatović hosted a reception at Villa Gorica for distinguished students and the top graduates of high schools for the academic year 2022/2023. As announced by the President’s Office, Milatović stated that the reception will become a tradition, as a clear sign that effort and dedication in the field of education should not go unnoticed and unrecognized by the state. “Do not wait until you grow up to realize the significance of the moment you are in because a spectrum of opportunities lies ahead of you to earn much greater recognition for your talents and creativity than what brought you here today. Always be aware of the value you bring to Montenegro and the world, with your ability to make a difference and influence our common future. Although young, proudly represent the positive values from the tradition of our country and do not forget that unity, solidarity, and trust yield the most noticeable results“, said Milatović. He emphasized that from the position of the President, he will appeal to relevant institutions and all social actors to create incentives for diligent, exemplary, and dedicated individuals and recognize their potential, thereby building a society on solid foundations. “At your age, when you are at the crossroads between the adult world and childhood, I wish for you to remain curious, unwavering in your ambitions, to strive for excellence, and not allow anything to deviate you from the path of realizing your dreams. I do not doubt that in the coming years, you will further improve and work on self-development, and we will have the opportunity to meet again and celebrate your successes. Remain the best and be devoted to Montenegro because it needs you“, said Milatović. As a gift for their achievements, he presented vouchers for tablet devices to the top 62 high school students. “The devices are donated by ICT Cortex – the cluster for information technology, innovation, education, design, and technological development of Montenegro, and its members Čikom, Sky Sat, and Sky Express, as well as the “Čini dobro” Foundation. In addition to tablet donations, all students will have access to approximately 30 premium courses on the Cortex Academy platform, as well as 50 best-selling books in the fields of marketing, design, programming, project management, and technology,” stated the President’s Office. The content has been taken from the website Vijesti.me

“Visit Village” Wins First Prize in Health Tourism Hackathon

The team “Visit Village” has won the main prize at the hackathon dedicated to rural and health tourism, held in collaboration with the Innovation Entrepreneurship Center Technopolis, the Innovation Fund of Montenegro, the Science and Technology Park, and ICT Cortex, organized by the Ministry of Health under the theme “Discovering the Potential of Health Tourism in Montenegro.” The University of Singidunum team secured second place, while third place was shared between the WellBeing and ZdravCom teams. Speaking about the significance of organizing this event for the Ministry of Health, which, for the first time in Montenegro, was held in this format with a focus on health tourism, Luka Đukanović, the General Director of the Directorate for Projects (IPA), Innovation, and Health Tourism at the Ministry of Health, emphasized that the hackathon provided an opportunity to hear and develop innovative ideas to improve the promotion of Montenegro as an attractive destination for the development of health tourism. “Montenegro truly abounds in natural potentials for the development of health tourism, which have not been fully utilized thus far. One of the key reasons for this is the insufficient collaboration between public administration, the economy, and the scientific research community. As we aim to develop high-level health tourism, we must strengthen this collaboration. The Ministry of Health will continue to work on developing ideas in the field of health tourism and creating a better business environment to motivate the economy to invest more in this area. Of course, the role of the scientific research community is essential for providing scientific confirmation of these potentials and creating innovative services in this field.“ LUKA ĐUKANOVIĆ Expressing the expectation that this event will encourage everyone to make greater efforts and effectively utilize what Montenegro has to offer, Đukanović thanked the Ministry of Health’s partners in organizing the hackathon: ICT Cortex, Technopolis, the UNDP Office in Podgorica, the Innovation Fund, and the Science and Technology Park. Mladen Kandić, HR Manager for Education, stated that the hackathon’s theme was to create innovative software solutions to improve the promotion of services in the field of health tourism, with the goal of positioning Montenegro as an attractive tourist destination in the field of health tourism by identifying organizations providing services in this area, as well as natural resources that can be utilized. He mentioned that 12 teams participated in the hackathon, and the pre-selection jury, based on predetermined criteria, selected five teams that entered the final phase of the competition for a prize fund of 10,000 euros, provided by the Ministry of Health through the project “Strengthening the Health System of Montenegro” in collaboration with UNDP.

ICT Cortex: ICT Cluster Calls on the Government of Montenegro to Ensure Compliance with Contractual Obligations with doMEn Company

Thanks to all the initiatives launched by the doMEn company in Montenegro, the country has become part of the regional and European ICT scene, and doMEn has become recognized as a sincere and dedicated partner of the Montenegrin IT community. “We appeal to the Government of Montenegro to reconsider the Decision on announcing a Public Call for the selection of an Agent for .me domain registration and to ensure compliance with contractual obligations with the doMEn company, which is bound by the principle of the rule of law,” states the ICT Cortex professional association regarding the announcement of the Public Call for the selection of an agent for .ME domain registration. This association, representing over 40 domestic and foreign ICT companies, emphasizes that the potential violation of contractual obligations by the Government of Montenegro jeopardizes the reputation of the Montenegrin business environment and sends a negative message to both existing and potential investors in the IT sector, especially considering that doMEn’s founders include some of the largest American IT companies and renowned leaders in the world of new technologies – Identity Digital, formerly Afilias, and GoDaddy.com LLC. In addition to building a recognized global brand, the doMEn company’s impact on the development of the ICT sector in Montenegro should not be overlooked. One of these impacts is evident in the establishment of the ICT cluster Cortex, of which the doMEn company is one of the founders. The cluster has directed its activities towards strengthening the IT sector and creating conditions for this industry to become the cornerstone of future economic development in Montenegro. Furthermore, it can be said that the pioneering endeavors of the Montenegrin IT community were made possible with the support, knowledge, and experience of renowned American investors through the assistance of the doMEn company. Given that one of the main problems of the IT industry is the lack of skilled professionals, the entire community strives to contribute to the creation of new talent through its courses and extracurricular programs. Since its establishment, the doMEn company has made a significant contribution in this regard, having invested over 1.4 million euros in socially responsible activities in its 15 years of existence. The company has supported 14 generations of primary and secondary school students through its free doMEn programming school. The company has also sponsored robotics competitions, and knowledge Olympiads, and has invested in creating content that directs children toward new technologies through its portal, STEMedukacija.me, and projects such as “My Future STEM Occupation.” At the same time, the association adds that the doMEn company is among the first representatives of the private sector that has actively worked on the development of the Montenegrin startup ecosystem for over a decade. The community regularly takes part in opportunities created by doMEn, with a notable example being the Spark.Me conference – one of the largest business and technology conferences in the region. Through competitions organized by the company, startup teams have had the opportunity, with its sponsorship, to showcase their solutions at the renowned Tech Crunch conference held annually in San Francisco. Thanks to all the initiatives launched by the doMEn company in Montenegro, the country has become part of the regional and European ICT scene, and doMEn has become recognized as a sincere and dedicated partner of the Montenegrin IT community. Thanks to projects initiated by doMEn in collaboration with the Vaso Aligrudić Electrotechnical School, Cortex members have continued to support the school and have secured funds of approximately 550,000 euros from the Regional Challenge Fund for the school’s modernization, which will be one of the largest non-repayable investments in a secondary vocational school in Montenegro. The fact that doMEn, as an export-oriented company with the best export brand in Montenegro, primarily contributes to the economy of Montenegro and its economic development through the export of products and services, totaling over 8 million euros in 2022, should not be overlooked. All these activities, along with many others carried out by the domestic IT sector, should contribute to strengthening the human and financial resources for the development of the IT sector in Montenegro, to attract and initiate new domestic and foreign investments. To function as such a system, support and understanding from the government and institutions are necessary to make Montenegro a desirable and safe country for IT investments, with the capacity to undertake such projects. As responsible partners of the Government of Montenegro in implementing development policies, ICT Cortex urges the need to work on improving and creating an attractive business environment for investments in the growing IT sector, where every investor and IT company will enjoy full respect for the rule of law. The resolution of all issues should be sought through adequate and timely dialogue. ICT CORTEX

Numbers confirm: IT has the potential to become a strategic sector for the development of Montenegro

The potential of the IT industry is receiving increasing public attention, and Montenegro is becoming an important country for IT investments. The actual extent of this potential was demonstrated by the numbers presented at today’s press conference organized by ICT Cortex and the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, where the results of an ICT research study were presented. Montenegro is experiencing growth in the ICT sector in terms of the number of companies, employees, as well as revenues and profits. This was shown by the analysis of the IT sector in Montenegro conducted by the consulting firm “CEED Consulting” for the needs of the ICT Cortex cluster, under the auspices of the Reconomy program. One particularly interesting finding from the research is that the export of computer services increased to a record 21% in 2022, compared to only 3% in 2017. “The growth in the number of companies has been influenced by the war in Ukraine. Despite the crisis, the IT sector is experiencing growth in all observed parameters, and the IT industry has also seen revenue growth. The analysis showed that companies are facing a shortage of qualified workforce,” said Jovana Vujačić from the company “CEED Consulting.” Among the 70 surveyed companies, the following interesting data stand out: Nina Drakić, the President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, stated that, in addition to tourism, agriculture, and energy, the IT sector is recognized as a strategic sector. “The IT sector had the highest growth last year, which indicates its potential,” said Drakić. Statistics show that the number of registered companies in the ICT sector has been steadily increasing on an annual basis. In the previous year, 1,497 companies were registered, and from the beginning of this year until April, 313 companies have been registered. “In the last five years, the structure of the ICT sector has changed. Statistics show that the IT sector accounts for 84% of the ICT sector. Compared to other sectors, the ICT sector deserves to be a priority economic branch,” said Nada Rakočević, Secretary of the Committee of Information and Communication Technology Associations within the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro. She further highlighted key figures, pointing out a nearly 70% increase in the number of companies and a 44% increase in employment. The ICT Cortex cluster announced that revenues in the ICT industry reached 602.432.407 million euros last year. “Net profit increased by over 100% compared to 2019. With the growth of ICT companies, the number of employees also increased by 30% last year compared to 2021,” said Milena Aković from the ICT Cortex cluster. She emphasized the need to highlight the significance and potential of the IT industry, which should become a strategic sector. Vladan Tabaš, the CEO of Čikom company and the President of the Board of Directors of ICT Cortex, stated that the IT sector is growing rapidly, but the level of digital transformation in society is not satisfactory. “IT has advanced to a great extent, but the digital transformation in Montenegro is slow. We are entering the digital world, and perhaps the turning point was the COVID-19 pandemic. The obstacle is our educational system, which does not provide the necessary workforce. We need skilled professionals, and therefore, we appeal for significant changes in Montenegro’s educational system,” said Tabaš.

We are hiring a Key Account Manager

In just over two years of existence, ICT Cortex has emerged as a key player in Montenegro’s innovation ecosystem. We bring together the most promising IT companies that are setting technological trends and best management practices in the domestic market. Numerous successful projects stand behind us, thanks to the team spirit and synergy we have fostered both among companies and employees. That’s why we value a great team above all else! The team we are building consists of individuals who: If you want to be part of such a team, here’s your opportunity! We are looking for someone to work with us on internationalizing our companies’ operations. This means your key responsibilities would include: We expect the following from you: In addition to these criteria, we highly value your personal qualities, especially: At ICT Cortex, we know that salary is not the only motivator for quality talent. Therefore, in addition to competitive compensation, we offer: Interested candidates can send their CVs and motivational letters to the email address: contact@ictcortex.me. The deadline for applications is June 16, 2023.

Community & Event Manager – Join a Creative, Dynamic Team and Be a Part of Montenegro’s Largest ICT Community!

ICT Cortex, a cluster with a primary focus on education, internationalization, and digital transformation, is in search of a new team member, a Community and event Manager who will assist us in creating and executing renowned ICT events, significantly contributing to strengthening the Cortex brand and the entire ICT community. Our team communicates daily with over 45 member companies, as well as representatives from public institutions and the private sector. We work on daily growth and development, and the number of events annually is truly challenging, featuring numerous creative and dynamic elements that are a real test. For this reason, we are looking for a talented and ambitious team member, motivated to advance and build their career in this industry. If you love challenges, and a dynamic environment, and want to be part of projects of national importance, then this job position is perfect for you. Who Are We Looking For? We are seeking a Community and event Manager ready to execute numerous events, including humanitarian activities, community team-building, networking evenings, professional events, and high-level conferences. Required Qualifications and Experience: What We Expect From You: We Offer You: So, if you enjoy organizing events of various formats, see yourself as an ambitious individual who achieves top-notch results and performance, and want to make a strong impact on the ICT community, join our team to contribute together to the development of Montenegro’s ICT sector! If you’re interested, please send your CV and a motivational letter to contact@ictcortex.me. The deadline for applications is June 16, 2023.

Cortex analyzes the ICT industry, achieves record numbers

Based on the ICT analysis and research conducted by CEED Consulting, we can conclude that the ICT sector is one of the fastest-growing, at least in the context of Montenegro. This is evident from the rapid increase in the number of companies involved in this activity, their impressive financial revenues, and the growing interest of people in our community in this field. ICT Cortex, a cluster with a primary focus on education, internationalization, and digital transformation, has analyzed the business performance of the Montenegrin ICT sector. The criteria for ranking success were total revenues, net results, the number of employees, and the number of companies. An important contribution to the analysis was made by the research conducted by the consulting company CEED Consulting. Additionally, BI Consulting, with its portal BInfo.me, was a significant source of data on specific industry codes. ICT Sector in Montenegro This analysis covered 1,049 companies that were part of the Montenegrin ICT sector in 2022 alone. However, to make the analysis comprehensive, the period from 2019 to 2022 was considered, tracking the trends of growth or decline in the three specific groupings of the ICT sector: IT services and products, telecommunications, and trade of IT equipment. Regarding the revenues generated in the ICT field during the previous year, the figures were more than impressive. The total revenue for the ICT sector in 2022 amounted to as much as 602 million euros, which is 23 percent higher than in 2021. The majority of the revenue comes from the telecommunications sector, followed by IT services and products, and trade of IT equipment. Net earnings have also significantly increased over the past four years, with a growth rate of 102 percent compared to 2019. Some of the companies that particularly stood out in terms of revenue in the previous period and made significant contributions to the revenue growth in the Montenegrin ICT sector are M-tel, Crnogorski Telekom, One, Kodio, Comtrade, and Coinis. Below, you can see the individual contributions of each of the mentioned areas to the information and communication technology sector. IT Services and Products Regarding the IT sector, we analyzed 725 companies actively operating in the local and international markets. The largest number of these companies are engaged in computer programming and consulting activities in the field of information technology, while specialized areas such as computer game development and software publishing are represented in a smaller number. It is worth noting that this field has seen a significant increase in the number of companies, with a growth rate of 46 percent compared to 2021 and a remarkable 109 percent compared to 2019. Companies in the IT services and products sector have made the most progress in the past four years when considering parameters such as total revenue, net results, and the number of employees. Total revenues increased by 45 percent compared to 2021, net results increased by 87 percent, and compared to 2019, the same parameter increased by an impressive 450 percent. The number of employees adequately follows the revenue growth, as indicated by the fact that over 3,400 workers have been employed in the IT products and services sector, which is 61 percent more than the previous year and a remarkable 161 percent increase compared to four years ago. When looking at the specific specialization, the largest number of companies are engaged in computer programming and IT consulting activities. Some of the companies that achieved the best results are Epam Systems Montenegro, Domen, Data Design, Čikom, and Logate. Telecommunications In the field of telecommunications, we analyzed 66 companies operating in our market. Over 60 percent of them are registered under the activity code “other telecommunications activities,” while a smaller number are involved in satellite and wireless communications, as well as cable telecommunications. Here, we have a slightly different picture compared to the IT sector. The growth rate of the number of companies over the past four years is only 1.5 percent, indicating that the telecommunications sector is relatively stable, with few changes in the number of firms in the previous period, averaging 64. Companies in the telecommunications sector have traditionally continued to generate impressive revenues. However, these revenues do not show significant fluctuations like those observed in the IT sector. The total revenue of Montenegrin companies engaged in telecommunications activities amounted to 266 million euros, which is nearly six percent higher than in 2019. Net results also did not experience significant growth, with an increase of less than 2 percent compared to 2021 and a decrease of nearly 17 percent compared to four years ago, indicating that the overall profit in this sector was significantly higher in 2019 than it is today. The three traditional telecommunications providers operating in our market, namely M-tel, Crnogorski Telekom, and ONE, achieved the best results in this field. Significant results were also achieved by companies such as Telemach, Ericsson AB, the Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services, and Network Communication. The total number of employees in this sector is 1,973, with as much as 65 percent of them employed in the three leading companies in the telecommunications sector (M-tel, Crnogorski Telekom, and ONE). This number is nearly 14 percent higher than in 2019. Trade of Computer Equipment Regarding the sector related to the trade of computer equipment, it should be highlighted that the total revenue in 2022 amounted to nearly 121 million euros, which is 33 percent higher than the previous year. Compared to 2019, this represents a 54 percent increase, while net profit for the same period has increased by 107 percent, reaching almost 6 million euros. The majority of companies in this field are primarily engaged in the wholesale trade of computers, computer equipment, and software, while a smaller number focus on the retail trade of telecommunications equipment, audio, and video equipment, as well as the wholesale trade of electronic and telecommunications parts. The number of employees in this sector increased by 16 percent in the previous year, reaching 664, which is a significant advancement, especially